The French fishermen blockading ferry ports in protest at high fuel costs will hold a march in central Paris today to coincide with a meeting between the Fishing and Agriculture Minister, Mr Jean Glavany, and the National Fishing Committee.
Most major French ports, including Cherbourg - the main transit point to Ireland - were still blocked by fishing trawlers last night.
Some 1,200 passengers travelling with Irish Ferries, who were due to arrive in Rosslare, Co Wexford, from Cherbourg early yesterday morning, were delayed for several hours. They were redirected to Roscoff, about five hours' drive away, and did not dock in Rosslare until 8 p.m. last night.
Irish families returning from holidays described their ordeal as "a nightmare".
A further 1,000 passengers, due to leave Rosslare for Cherbourg at 4 p.m. yesterday, did not leave until 9 p.m. Their boat was then rerouted to the French naval port of Brest.
A spokesman for Irish Ferries, Mr Don Hall, said he was "confidently expecting" that the Normandy would be able to dock in Brest at 3 p.m. today.
The Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture were last night urged by the Irish Exporters' Association to protest to their French counterparts.
IEA chief executive Mr John Whelan said the dispute was potentially extremely damaging for exports to France, the State's fourth-largest export market. Urging high-level protests to Paris, he said: "We believe this is the only way the message will get through that this is an unacceptable way to behave in a common market."
He called on Mr Walsh to contact immediately his colleague in the French government to try to find a resolution to the dispute, which had closed a major entry point for Irish hauliers going to the continent.
The Irish Farmers' Association said even a couple of days' disruption at Cherbourg could cause serious problems, as this is the peak period for lamb exports.
The British P&O Stena Line ferry operator announced it would seek a legal injunction against the fishermen after its ferries between Dover and Calais had to be rerouted to Belgium.
Protesters also blocked highway toll posts and maritime fuel depots and dumped crates of fish.
More than 10,000 passengers on ferries bound for Marseilles were diverted to Toulon. The Channel Tunnel remained open last night, but fishermen's unions have threatened to close it as well and say their actions could continue until Saturday.
The French government is faced with the alarming prospect of farmers and taxi drivers joining in the protests. French farmers, who use an average of 10,000 litres of fuel oil each year, handed out free produce in Toulouse yesterday and said they would set up their own road blockades.
Paris taxi drivers have threatened to paralyse the capital tomorrow.
The Finance Minister, Mr Laurent Fabius, could defuse the crisis this afternoon when he announces plans for tax reductions.
He will probably offer some relief to heavy fuel users. However, it is not clear whether Mr Fabius will lower the fuel tax or offer a targeted subsidy to fishermen.
But a significant cut in fuel costs is opposed by the Environment Minister, Ms Dominique Voynet, of the Green Party, and the far left. They argue it would be against the spirit of the Kyoto Conference on the Environment. A reduction in home heating oil prices would be more palatable to the left.
France expects up to Ffr 120 billion (£2.4 billion) in budget surpluses over the next three years. The government had intended to lower income and residence taxes, but the fishermen's strike has created pressure to reduce fuel costs as well.
The cost of diesel fuel has risen from 80 centimes per litre in January 1999 to an average 2.10 francs at present. The fishermen say they cannot afford to continue working unless the government fixes the price at 1.20 francs per litre.
